On Monday 14 October, a group from the Probus Club of Pakenham set off by coach on a four day trip to Echuca and its surrounds.
The first stop was a tour of the Seymour Railway Museum, which included morning tea served on fine china.
Then it was on to Colbinabbin to view the painted silos before completing the trip to Echuca.
The next morning was spent relaxing on a paddle steamer on the Murray River, followed by lunch with several members of the Echuca-Moama Twin Rivers Probus Club.
In the afternoon, Pakenham’s members enjoyed an interesting visit to the Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum – a really inspiring experience.
The day was rounded off with a delightful meal at the Moama RSL.
On Wednesday, the group headed south to Rochester, where they visited the Sir Hubert Opperman Museum.
This was another inspirational place to visit with lots of interesting exhibits.
Then it was east to Kyabram to visit the Fauna Park, which is one of Parks Victoria’s properties.
There are about 400 animals, including birds, reptiles, gliders and even meerkats, as well as a return to the past in the historic Hazelman’s Cottage.
The final day of the tour was a return to Pakenham, via Strathmerton, where there is a cactus garden.
It is not just any cactus garden – it’s Australia’s largest one, with thousands of cacti, large and small.
Many of the plants were flowering, and there was such diversity, we were all amazed.
The group then enjoyed a Mexican lunch, followed by a talk about the gardens.
As they got back to Pakenham, everyone agreed that they had had a wonderful four days, filled with activities and interesting sights.
